Jake Allen saw his contract extension as a major opportunity, especially as the offer from Kent Hughes and the Canadian for a goalkeeper to play a special role was attractive.
Is he number one? Yes, in the context of Canadians. No, for most other National League teams.
Except that the Canadian’s decision makers have no doubt compiled the list of goalies likely to use their free agent status without compensation in July 2023 and have hastily concluded: Allen has nothing to envy to his peers.
names ? Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes, Jonathan Bernier, Cam Talbot, Anton Khudobin, Alex Nedeljkovic and Mackenzie Blackwood.
Andersen and Blackwood dominate the group but could they do better than Allen in the new structure we are looking to implement with the Canadian?
Hughes responded by offering a two-year extension to a goalkeeper who was respected by all his team-mates and who wants to take part in the program put in place by the new group of administrators.
He wants other goalies to benefit from everything he’s learned during his long National League experience.
A good decision.
fans love it
Now let’s move on to Cole Caufield’s file?
We don’t seem to want to rush the negotiations. And for a good reason.
Caufield, 21, is completing the final year of his contract and will be a restricted free agent. Is there a risk of the small forward moving to a team?
He can accept a hostile offer from any of the other 31 teams in the league but the Canadian has an opportunity to match the offer, which he will no doubt do.
Fans love Caufield, he’s a player who has a certain charisma and has quickly made a name for himself within the organisation.
And the fact not to rush the negotiations is based on several factors. In fact, Caufield will be playing his second full season in the National League. A season that should provide answers to the questions decision makers might have.
others in the same situation
We also want to see what the market will offer skaters in the same situation as Caufield.
New York Rangers representatives K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafrenière, for example, will want to reach an agreement with Rangers boss Chris Drury as soon as possible. Do we opt for a bridge contract? The coveted amount is around $4 million.
Will Caufield officials want to follow the same path as Alex DeBrincat, who got a $6 million plus bridge contract from the Chicago Blackhawks?
Another interesting file is that of Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson, notable for his absence from training camp.
Last year he had 79 points and 41 goals in 74 games, and since arriving in Texas he has played 168 games and has a tally of 125 points, 58 goals and 67 assists. His advisors are asking for an eight-year, multi-million dollar contract.
Jim Nill offers a bridge contract, three years.
Salary caps often complicate negotiations. Teams don’t want to make financial commitments that could affect payroll projections.
The Canadian will try to sever some contracts or, if you prefer, try to change the workforce to have more flexibility in terms of salary.
Chychrun again…
Should we be surprised that the name Jakob Chychrun has been grabbing all the attention for the past few days? Teams are completing their rosters, and a senior defender is still a priority.
Over the weekend, it was reported that senators had taken a keen interest in the Arizona Coyotes defenseman.
But Pierre Dorion flatly refuses to argue with the Coyotes while they have their sights set on young Shane Pinto. The centerer impressed in Saturday’s win against the Canadiens.
The Senators won’t be relying on a very senior defensive brigade, but Thomas Chabot and his group can count on supporting a balanced attack. Whether the goalkeepers will live up to expectations remains to be seen…
to see Sanheim
Another defenseman who has been widely rumored is Travis Sanheim of the Philadelphia Flyers.
He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in July 2023. He’s a reliable fullback, with a good height, and the Flyers, who have been without Ryan Ellis’ services for the entire season, are very demanding in the talks.
And we understand them very well. It’s going to be a tough season in Philadelphia, especially as Sean Couturier misses the start of the season. In the meantime, let’s not forget that the Flyers could find themselves in a situation where it’s possible to get the first pick at the 2023 auction, which is undoubtedly a topic of discussion among formation decision-makers…
A quick note: what can a player like Mike Hoffman add to a recovery plan?
That certainly doesn’t belong in the equation…
